Cut-out.



No. 665,888. Patented Ian. l5, 190i.

W. L. R. EMMET.

CUT-OUT.

I (Application filed July 27, 1899.)

(No Model.) Z Sheetw-Sheat 2.

lnvenb or.

UNITED STATES WILLIAM L. n. EMME'r, or scHENEcTADY, NEW YoRK, A-SSIIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, on NEW YORK.

PATENT OEEI E.

THE

CUT-OUT.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent 1&0. 665,8 88, dated January L901.

Application tiled July Ill, i899, Serial llo; 725,2?! (No model.)

of the circuit; is inclosed in a chamber having a contracted opening to the atmosphere through which the arc-gases on rupture of the circu it act expulsively to extinguish the arc.

The invention is particularly applicable to circuit-rupturing devices adapted to carry high-potential electric currentsas, for example, currents flowing under a potential of ten thousand volts.

In thespecificembodiment of my invention herein shown the type of cut-out employed is a fuseiof such current-carrying capacity as to give way by softening or melting when the current reaches a dangerous abnormal strength. Parts of the invent-ion, however, are notlimited in their application to cut-outs of the fuse type, but may beemployed to extinguish an are formed between two separating contact-terminals.

1n carrying out myinvent-iou ,I inclose the rupturing point of the circuit in achamber formed between two insulating and preferably fireproof bodies, inserting the fuse between said bodies at the joint, and preferably holding the fuse under tension, by reason of which when the device acts the 'two parts of the fuse between which the arc is drawn are rapidly spread asunder. On one side of thech'amber is formed an opening, best located at a point opposite the weakened spot or. spot of reduced on rre'nt-carrying capacity in the fuse, so as to determine an outdrawing of thegases at exactly the point where thearc is formed when the device acts. In order to protect the walls of the chamber in which the fuse is mounted from damage by the arc-gasesand the heat, I line it with paper orother flexible fabric, the paper being previously pressed or molded into a form following the superficial contour of the dham: I

her or cavity, so that itmaybe placed'within the same and will form a good fit. The paper lining or capsule is provided with a rim or edge which overlaps the joint between the two bodies or blocks which form the inclosing l chamber, and this serves as a gasket to make a tighter joint'at the line of junction. W The paper lining or capsule is providedwith-a hole registering with a hole formed in the wall of the chamber, through which the gases are expelled. In order to promote the expulsive 6Q action, the paper may be saturated or coated with some gasproduoiug body, for which a hydrocarbon may be used with good results, though of course paper itself, would under heat give off volatile products which would ing fireproof material, which maybe clamped together by two laterally-movable set-screws formed on leaf-spring supports and adapted to be clamped in slots formed in an insulating-cover which houses the device.

The several features of novelty of the in vention 'will be more fully hereinafter described and will be definitely indicated in the claims.

is mounted is formed of two blocks ofinsulatp In the accompanying drawings, illustrating 8c the invention, Figure 1 is a sectionalview of a fuse embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical section on a. plane at right angles to that indicated in Fig. 1, the plane of the section being between thetwo insulating supports. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the paper lining or capsule for the fuse-chamber. 1 and 2 represent two blocks of insulating refractory material, which may be best made of porcelainand which have two smooth faces centrally recessed, so as to form a chamber 3 when assembled. A hole cored or drilled in the block 2 at a central point relatively to the chamber 3 acts as a duct for the gases expelled by the are when the fuse acts. Between the two blocks is a metallic fuse 4, which may be formed of any suitable metal and is provided after' afashion familiar ,in theart, at a central point-,with a section of reduced current-carrying capacity, so as to too insure the giving way of the fuse at that point upon the transit of damaging current.

This ,point of reduced conductivity is formed in the fuseat a point opposite the vent 5 of the chamber. The confronting faces of the porcelain blocks 1 and 2 may be grooved slightly, or oneof them may be so grooved to accommodate the fuse. This latter when the device is assembled for operation is held under tension by two spring-actuated clam pbars 6 ti", on a flat face of which is a setscrew 7 7 which passes through a Hole in the end of the fuse and clamps it to the bar. These barsturn on pivots mounted'in a metallic support, coil-springs 8 8 tending to throw the arms apart. A flexible conductor, as shown, connects the spring-actuated clips with the metal support. The latter isfastoned into the lower block 1, of porcelain, by screws 9 9". The upper insulating-block 2 is held in firm engagement with the lower by means of two clamps 10 10*, provided with,

screw threaded stems mounted on leafsprings, the stems cooperating with slots, as

indicated in Fig. 2, formed'in a metal strip 11, secured by screws to the u pperportion of the block 2. In assembling the blocks the threaded stems of the clamps are sprung into the slots in the metal top and the set-screws are adjusted until the parts are in firm engagement.

insulating material, such as indurated fiber or other suitable fireproof insulator, adapted, to house both of the porcelain blocks in which f the cut-out is formed. The sides of this cover may be formed. of three-ply wood or:

the npper'block, so as to preventlateral spreading of the arc. The spring-terminals for the fuse are electrically connected with two stiff metal strips or posts 16 16, which may be inserted in a spring-clip formed by four metal springs, as indicated at 17 17, which springs form the terminals of the switchboard and are mounted in an insulator 1'8 18, screwed to the switchboard -19.

As thus organized it will be seen that when the paper capsules 20' 20 are placed in the cavities formed in the supporting-blocks and clamped together acomparatively close fit is formed, the paper acting as .a packing for the joint. When the fuse acts, the retraction of thespring-arms 6 6 springs a rapidly-lengthening are, which heats the air in the chamber and raises the temperature of the paper lining, which contributes under the Between the metal top and the top of the block is secured a cap 12, of thin heat its own gases, as well as. that of the material with which it is painted or soaked, to increase the pressure of the gases within the chamber, thereby increasing the expulsive tendency and violently expelling the gases throngh the hole in the upper block, and thus extinguishing the arc.

' What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,'is'

1. A- cut-out having the ppint of circuit rupture inclosed in a chamber in which a vent is formed, said chamber being provided with a removable lining of paper.

2. A cut-out having the point oi circuit rupture inclosedin a chamber in whicha vent is formed,,said chamber being lined with a flexible removable protective capsule.

3. A cut-out having the point of circuit rupture inclosed ina chamber in which a vent isiformed, said chamber being lined with a thin fabric saturated or coated with a gasproducing material.

4. *An'electric cut-out having the point of circuit rnptu re inclosed in a chamber in which;

a vent is formed at a point between the ter minals and opposite the rupturing-point, and

a lining of thin fabric for the chamber, provided with an opening at said vent.

5. An electric cut-out having the point of circuit rupture i-nclosed in achamber formed between two bodies, each provided with a protective lining of flexible-material, such as paper, overlapping the edge to form a packing and a vent in the chamber.

6. An electric cut-out, comprising a strip of metal extending into a chamber provided with a protective lining of paper, and with a vent for the expulsion of gases generated by the are at a point opposite the fuse and between its terminals.

7. A cut-out comprising a fuse extending into a chamber formed between two blocks of ineomb ustible material, provided with a removable lining the terminals of the fuse being connected to spring-actuated retractors, and a vent for the chamber, the fuse being provided with a section of reduced curre'nt-car rying capacity at ornear said vent.

8. An electric fuse held under tension between elastic supports and extending between two blocks of refractory material, a chamber formed between said blocks provided with a vent opposite the fuse, a cover for the operati ve parts, and clam ps for-seen ring'said cover in fixed relation to the parts.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of July, 1899. Q

WILLIAM .L- R. EMME'I.

Witnessesz.

BENJAMIN B. HULL, MABEL E. JACOBSON. 

